Tortilla Soup

Many traditional Mexican dishes are easy to adapt to a fully plant-based diet. This tortilla soup is a great example. Whenever I cook it, the whole house fills with a delightful aroma, a hint of the robust and delicious flavor that is on the way.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the tortillas into ¼-inch strips and spread on the baking sheet. Bake until crispy, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.

Meanwhile, place the tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, onion, garlic, cumin powder, chipotle chiles, cilantro sprigs, and 1 cup water in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Remove and discard the chiles and cilantro sprigs. Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture back into the pan. Add the smoked paprika, chili powder, salt to taste, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes.

Add the corn and peas and cook until tender but still crisp, about 5 minutes.

To serve, garnish each serving of soup with green onions, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, if using, and the reserved corn strips. Squeeze some lemon juice on top.